1. Strengths

2. Build with What You Have

3. Identify Your Signature Strengths • They represent the real you. • They bring a feeling of excitement when they are used. • A person excels in their signature strengths quickly. • A person feels energised and intrinsically motivated when using them. • They can be applied to learning, work, relationships and play.

4. What are Virtues? Universal characteristics that are emphasised by philosophers and religious leaders: • Wisdom and knowledge • Courage • Love and humanity • Justice • Temperance • Transcendence

5. How were they developed? • Drawn from history’s great philosophers, religions, and traditions. For example, Socrates’ developing the notion of “bravery”.

6. Values in Action (VIA) Character Strengths • Transcendence • Appreciation of Excellence/Beauty • Gratitude • Hope/Optimism • Humor/Playfulness • Spirituality/Religiousness • Temperance • Forgiveness/Mercy • Modesty/Humility • Prudence/Caution • Self-control/Self-regulation • Justice • Citizenship/Duty/Loyalty/ Teamwork • Equity/Fairness • Leadership • Wisdom and Knowledge • Curiosity/Interest • Love of Learning • Open-mindedness/Judgment • Originality/Ingenuity/Creativity • Perspective • Humanity • Love/Intimacy • Kindness/Generosity/Nurturance • Social Intelligence • Courage • Bravery/Valor • Industry/Perseverance • Integrity/Honesty • Zest/Enthusiasm

7. Character Strengths and Talents According to positive psychologists, strengths and talents are both essential for human flourishing. There are, however, important differences between them: • Strengths are moral traits, talents are non-moral. • Talents are largely innate, character strengths are more ‘voluntary’ – we can choose to develop them. • Strengths cannot be squandered; however, we can choose not to use a talent. Character strengths are more ‘buildable’ than talents: with practice, persistence, good teaching and dedication they can take root and flourish. Strengths can be acquired by almost any individual as long as there is time, effort and commitment.

8. Distribution of Character Strengths among U.S. AdultsPark, Peterson, & Seligman, 2006

9. Strength Building(concepts and skills to help build strengths) Successful character development programs teach specific activities of strengths and encourage people to keep using them in their daily lives (Park & Peterson, 2008, 2009).

10. Saying “do your best” or “be the best that you can be” is not a good way to cultivate good character. • Choose the target strengths on which you want to focus, to set specific and measurable goals, and to devise concrete action plans to achieve these goals.

11. Increase Kindness as a target strength: • For example, if kindness is the chosen target strength, saying hello to at least one new person each day at school provides an effective goal and action plan. • Continuous monitoring and journaling of progress are critical. (Park & Peterson, 2008, 2009)

12. Strength Spotting • Learn to recognize your strengths and develop them further. • Learn to recognize them in others • Weaknesses also need to be understood, recognized and managed.